The Westland Garryana series was once one of my most anticipated releases— since they are not available locally to me, I have tempered my FOMO by just not paying as much attention these days. I love the idea of utilizing local oak species, and the lengths that Westland was willing to go through to secure supplies and ensure future availability. Oregon Oak is also a major part of Clear Creek’s maturation program for McCarthy’s single malt, which makes for a fun comparison with Westland. Enough about the trees… how’s the whisky?

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Whisky: Westland Garryana Oak 2020 Edition 5 

Country/Region: United States/Washington

ABV: 50%

Cask: First Fill Bourbon, New Oregon Oak

Age: 3 Years (Distilled 2017, Bottled 2020)

Notes: The aroma carried the scent of a fine rock collection with sandstone, patina, and minerals hanging in the air with a touch of mothballs and pine wood. Wood and metal, pewter miniatures maybe,  brought to mind a country cabin with a touch of cinnamon, dried apples, oats, and wispy cigarette smoke lingering in the background. Medium-bodied, fields of old burnt grass and tobacco smoke arrived first with apple pastries and a touch of cinnamon. More metallic impressions waited near the end with copper patina and iron— old cabin cookware, perfect for Moscow mules and some fatty bacon (or was it just another rock collection with bits of fool’s gold and quartz?) The finish was medium to long with a gentle pepper, dried apple, and cigar boxes.

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Score: 7 (84)

Mental Image: Country Cabin Treasure Hunting

Conclusion: The peated malt stood out on this edition of Westland’s Garryana Oak, more-so than any of the others I have tried, save maybe the 3rd edition (though I have not had any of the most recent ones.) Westland has mostly disappeared off the shelves around me, coinciding I believe with the retail refresh they undertook a few years back. I do not seem to know anyone regularly splitting special releases or distillery exclusive bottles any more either, which has made keeping current on more recent bottles impossible. This was a lovely one though, with a very restrained sweetness and less obvious cask influence compared the heady sherry elements on the 4th edition. I found it well-balanced and a touch unusual, which made it fun to taste and easy to drink— a winning combination.

Image Credit: Reserve Bar